Methods and devices for downloading games of chance
First Claim
1. A method of downloading gaming software, the method comprising:
- determining that desired gaming software is available;
selecting a channel corresponding to the desired gaming software; and
downloading the desired gaming software on a selected channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods, devices and systems for downloading gaming software. According to some implementations of the invention, gaming software is continuously transmitted on a plurality of channels, e.g., by one or more servers. In some such implementations, each channel is dedicated to software for a different wagering game. In other implementations, gaming software components are transmitted on a plurality of channels, with each channel dedicated to a particular gaming software component. Some implementations provide gaming software in response to a request from a gaming machine. Implementations over dedicated and/or public networks are provided. Preferred implementations of the invention allow gaming software to be downloaded to gaming machines in a secure manner that automatically ensures that licensing and regulatory requirements are satisfied. Some such implementations determine whether payment is required for gaming software and provide for automated payment, if so required.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of downloading gaming software, the method comprising:
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determining that desired gaming software is available;
selecting a channel corresponding to the desired gaming software; and
downloading the desired gaming software on a selected channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of downloading gaming software in a network of gaming machines, comprising:
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detecting desired software from a continuous transmission of gaming software on a channel of a gaming network;
beginning a download of the desired gaming software at a first arbitrary frame; and
completing the download of the desired gaming software at a second arbitrary frame, wherein the first arbitrary frame and the second arbitrary frame are not the first and last frames of the desired software. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing software in a network of gaming machines, comprising:
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assigning a channel to each of a plurality of gaming software types; and
transmitting a gaming software type on each of a plurality of assigned channels. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A first gaming device configured for playing wagering games of chance, the first gaming device comprising:
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at least one network interface allowing communications between the first gaming device and a network on a plurality of channels;
at least one memory device and at least one logic device configured to do the following;
prepare a request for the transfer of wagering game software from a second gaming device to the first gaming device;
send the request to a software authorization agent via the network interface; and
receive from the software authorization agent via the network interface a reply approving or rejecting the request for the transfer of the wagering game software, wherein the wagering game software is for at least one of a) a game of chance played on a gaming machine, b) a bonus game of chance played on a gaming machine, c) a device driver for a for a device installed on a gaming machine, d) a player tracking service on a gaming machine and e) an operating system installed on a gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A gaming machine for playing wagering games of chance, the gaming machine comprising:
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means for determining that desired wagering game software is available;
means for selecting a channel corresponding to the desired wagering game software;
means for detecting the desired wagering game software from a transmission of a plurality of wagering game software types;
means for downloading the desired wagering game software on a selected channel;
means for accepting a wager for a desired wagering game; and
means for presenting the desired wagering game.
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35. A gaming machine for playing wagering games of chance, the gaming machine comprising:
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means for detecting desired wagering game software from a continuous transmission of wagering game software on a channel of a gaming network;
means for beginning a download of the desired wagering game software at a first arbitrary frame;
means for completing the download of the desired wagering game software at a second arbitrary frame, wherein the first arbitrary frame and the second arbitrary frame are not the first and last frames of the desired software;
means for accepting a wager for a desired wagering game; and
means for presenting the desired wagering game.
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36. A gaming network, comprising:
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at least one server for providing wagering game software on a continuous transmission of wagering game software on at least one channel of the gaming network; and
a plurality of gaming machines for wagering games of chance, each of the plurality of gaming machines configured for communication with the gaming network, each of the plurality of gaming machines comprising;
means for detecting desired wagering game software from a continuous transmission of wagering game software on a channel of the gaming network;
means for beginning a download of the desired wagering game software at a first arbitrary frame;
means for completing the download of the desired wagering game software at a second arbitrary frame, wherein the first arbitrary frame and the second arbitrary frame are not the first and last frames of the desired software;
means for accepting a wager for a desired wagering game; and
means for presenting the desired wagering game. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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Specification